A row of boxes filled with stocking stuffer items ran down the middle of the room. These boxes contained gloves, knit hats, books and other small items.

Food items, also donated and wrapped into gift packages, were available and came courtesy of the Bridgeton Christian School.

An outpouring of community donations made Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday’s event possible.

“Angel tags”, where residents pick up a slip and purchase gifts for the child listed on it, were hanging on Christmas trees inside area businesses.

Major Joan Pierce estimated a total of 250 tags had been hung on the trees.

Some, but not all of, tree locations included H & R Hardware on Centerton Road, Walmart in Upper Deerfield, Toadfish Bar and Grill in Fairfield, Arsenal Sound in Bridgeton, and the lobby at The News.

A total of 15 to 20 organizations aided in this project in various ways, be it food drives, toy donations or “adopting” a family to provide a holiday for.

The Kettle Drive coin-drop assisted in buying some of the gifts and food, providing a stay at the Cohansey Hotel for those in need and even purchasing heating oil among other things.

“There’s a bigger response every year,” said Major Tom Pierce of both supply and demand.

He described the effort as a “stop gap for a lot of people.” Be the cause unemployment or the economy, “It allows kids to have a better Christmas,” he said.

Approximately 500 people had applied through the Salvation Army for this three-day event.

“There was more this year than ever before,” Joan said of the number of applicants.Applications, which began in October, asked for proof of income and expenses and proof of how many children lived in the household.

A short waiting list is on hand, more toys are expected to come in over the next two days. The Salvation Army stated that those in an “emergency situation” may call on Thursday afternoon to be considered.